It's Back

The most "Artrageous Event" of the season

PATRICE SHIELDS, Special to The Banner

4:00 AM, Jan 26, 2013

'Artrageous' performer Ashley King. Submitted photo

The 'Artrageous Event' Band. Submitted photo

'Artrageous' dancer. Submitted photo

BONITA SPRINGS - Picture this- the stage in front of you has a white backdrop, white flooring, and a forest of six feet tall easels with six, huge white canvases just waiting to be painted. An eight-piece band in white tuxes stands ready to create music... then speed painters are unleashed!

Part of the thrill of this performance is to see how an all-white stage comes to life-painting by painting-from white on white, to black and white, to living color-building to a crescendo of the most powerful spectrum of colors imaginable.

That only begins to set the scene for "The Artrageous Event" whose theme is serious fun and whose goal is to raise money for youth scholarships and programming at the Center for the Arts Bonita Springs.

This spectacular evening showcases musicians, singers, dancers and yes, even speed painters, all taking center stage in an evening filled with color, music, dance and art! An apt description of this multimedia event is Cirque du Soleil meets music, dance, light show, puppeteers and speed painters all creating art! All of this takes place at the Center for the Arts campus in Bonita Springs.

The "Artrageous Event" is also an evening for food and wine lovers. Guests are invited to dive into any one of the featured, plated specialties, catered by Artichoke & Co., paired with wines and beers from around the world.

"When initially creating this unique, 'Artrageous' event, our first words were fresh, new, exciting, bright, colorful and in your face—yet all in a fun and very entertaining way. People watch the video clip on our website and call or email me. They can't wait to be here," said Susan Bridges president of the Center for the Arts Bonita Springs. "The combination of music, dance, costumes, gigantic puppetry, vocalists, speed painters—it's just fantastic. It's like opening a really special gift, you can't wait to see what's inside, yet the 'Artrageous Event' unfolds as if in layers, throughout the evening, flowing from one act to the next, on stage and off. People will definitely be talking about this event long after Feb. 2. And, the menu created and catered by Artichoke & Co. is superb. Pairing the courses with select wines and beers? Truly genius on their part."

Patron Ticket holders begin their "Artrageous" evening with a patron cocktail party beginning at 6p.m., where guests enjoy catered hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and select entertainment extraordinaire provided by Masaji Terasawa, also known as the Candy Man. Terasawa, who has been performing at Epcot at Walt Disney World for more than a decade, will be showcasing his glassblowing like technique of transforming a simple piece of rice syrup toffee into winged dragons, dolphins and other creatures. The Center for the Arts Bonita Springs anticipates that the "Artrageous Event" will continue to benefit the community throughout the year. All of the money raised goes to scholarships for students in the youth education program at the Center for the Arts.

"Studies show children who participate in arts are more likely to succeed as adults," said Bridges. "We work closely with each family, carefully crafting every scholarship. We always choose not to turn anyone in need away."

In 2012 the Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs awarded more than $80,000 in scholarships.And while the experience is exceptional, the dress is "Artrageously" casual.If You Go:

Those who join the Center for the Arts for the first time receive two tickets to one of this season's Live at the Promenade events. The Center for the Arts offers this benefit for first time members only.